Premises Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based academy is looking for a dedicated maintenance specialist to ensure a welcoming and secure environment for students and staff. Responsibilities include site maintenance, repairs, and gardening. Ideal candidates will have experience in a school setting, strong DIY skills, and a proactive attitude. Benefits include higher salaries than the main pay scale and generous pension schemes. The role requires a right to work in the UK and basic training in maintenance disciplines.

Benefits

Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale

Twice as many training days

Generous pension scheme

Gym discounts

Interest-free loans

Qualifications

• Experience working in a school or maintenance environment.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Basic training in plumbing, general maintenance, electrical/building maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure school buildings are secure and safe at all times.
• Carry out repairs and maintenance tasks as required.
• Maintain a litter-free environment.

Skills

Plumbing

Electrical work

Carpentry/Joinery

Painting

Basic computer skills

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Role

You will have experience working in a school or maintenance environment, with a strong capability for high-quality DIY tasks. You will also be solution-focused, proactive, and take great pride in the appearance of the school site. In this hands-on role, you’ll play a crucial part in ensuring that our school is a welcoming, secure, and pristine environment for students, staff, and visitors. Collaborating closely with the Facilities Manager and premises team, you will undertake a variety of responsibilities that ensure the smooth operation of our Academy. Your tasks will include site maintenance, repairs, decorating, caretaking, gardening, security, waste management, and minibus driving, as well as supporting our sister school, Ark EvelynGrace Academy.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure school buildings and groundsare secure and safe at all times.
• Escort visitors and contractors from the car park to reception, asrequired.
• Carry out premises dailyand weeklyroutines consistently.
• Respondand completeall tasks requested through the helpdesk systempromptly.
• To carry out repairs and maintenance tasks, asrequired.
• Maintaina litter free environment, ensuring that thesiteisalwayskept cleanand presentable at all times.
• Undertakeemergency cleaning,graffiti removal and any other ad-hoc cleaning, includingtoilet andwindow cleaning.
• OperatetheBuilding Management Systems (BMS), CCTV systemheating, ventilation, lighting, water supply, drainage, and sanitation systems.
• Ensurethatappropriatepremisesrelatedsigns and noticesaredisplayed at all timesegfire exits.
• Assistwith fire and other evacuation proceduresand always ensureallfire exits are accessible and that fireextinguishersarecorrectly positioned.
• Maintain paths and roads to be free of slip hazards, removing snow and treating ice,whenrequired.
• Notifytheappropriate agencieswhere there is a pest or vermin problem.

Qualification Criteria

• Right to work in the UK
• Basic training in one or more of thefollowing:plumbing, general and grounds maintenance, electrical/building maintenance, heating systems
• Ability to work on own and as part of a team
• Approachable, adaptable, flexible, and calm with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Solution focused,hard working, conscientious and detail orientated.
• Organised, and able to work with minimum supervision
• Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of work and achieving excellence
• Keen to learn and develop own skills
• Able to drive and willingness to take a MIDAS test
• Practical understanding of health & safety and security procedures and practices
• Basic computer skills e.g. e-mail, MS Word, Internet.
• Skills in plumbing, electrical work, carpentry/joinery, painting
• Able to manage several projects at once, prioritising accordingly to meet deadlines

What the school offers its staff

Benefits

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Commitment to safeguarding

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.